The Medicine Wheel, or Circle
of Life, is found in many tribes and in many parts of the world, but there are
beliefs common to them all. The compass points North, South, East and West give
four directions. Mother Earth is below and Father Sky is above, giving six directions.
These six directions are also symbolized by animal
fetish carvings.

The circle shape
represents life. We change like the seasons as we pass through life, traveling
through the part of the circle. The center of the circle is the Spirit, from which
everything extends and everything returns.

Below
are some general beliefs about the colors, animal totems and uses of the medicine
wheel. Every tribe and every person has their own beliefs and you should use what
best represents what you believe.